Bengaluru: 

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the situation in Jammu & Kashmir after a ghastly terror episode struck Pahalgam and also to seek suggestions.

Kharge said he will convene the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Delhi on Thursday to discuss the Pahalgam incident and take stock of the reasons that led to this "dastardly and cowardly" act of terrorism.

"The Congress unequivocally condemns this cowardly act. This is a direct attack on the integrity of our nation," he said.

When asked if he sees any security lapse or intelligence failure, Kharge said it's not the time to find fault but to put forth collective responsibility to ensure justice to the innocent and unsuspecting tourists who are killed.

Expressing deep shock over the incident, Kharge said it would have a long-lasting effect on the economy of Kashmir.

"This is the time the tourists start visiting the Valley state, whose economy is dependent on tourism. But this incident will adversely affect the sector. J&K CM Omar Abdullah expressed similar concerns when I spoke to him yesterday (Tuesday)," Kharge said.

He also urged the Centre to take necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of the pilgrims of the Amarnath Yatra. "Soon Amarnath Yatra will commence, and both the state and the Union government must take precautionary measures," he said.

Kharge spoke with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Abdullah and senior party leaders from the union territory for an update on Tuesday's horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, asserting that the families of the victims deserve justice.

"Unity in action in the wake of adversity is the need of the hour. This cross-border terror attack should be responded to with an adequate and resolute reply.

Government of India must talk to all the political parties to ensure security in Jammu and Kashmir and make every possible effort to ensure the safety of tourists," Kharge said.

"Since the horrific Chittisinghpura massacre in 2000, this is among the most brazen and outrageous attempts by terrorists and separatist forces. We firmly reiterate, those who murder unarmed and innocent civilians cannot be human," he wrote.

Kharge urged the Central government to talk to all the political parties together to ensure security in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Kharge said Congress will cooperate with the Centre in all possible ways to deal with the situation, besides supporting its steps to fight terrorism. "It's time for all parties to be united and fight the enemies of the country.

We must give a befitting response and use all our strength to hunt down terrorists. Therefore, we urge the Union government to convene an all-party meeting to seek advice from them and also to send a message of unity," he said.

Kharge said he will convene the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Delhi on Thursday to discuss the Pahalgam incident and take stock of the reasons that led to this "dastardly and cowardly" act of terrorism.

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